Trends and developments in the automation of design and manufacture of tools for metal stampings

Abstract

Metal stampings play an important part in modern-day life. Together with plastic molds, they form the most important structural components of all electrical and electronic equipment. Researchers all over the world have spent a tremendous amount of time and effort trying to develop better computer aids for the design of tools and dies required to manufacture metal stampings. This paper explains the motivation to develop an integrated planning-and-design aid for the die designer. From the literature, trends and developments in the design automation of toolings for the manufacture of metal stampings are discussed. The application of various artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to solve problems that were previously exclusive domains of human designers is highlighted. A knowledge-based framework for developing an integrated software for the planning and design of progressive dies is illustrated. © 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.